Feeding the hungry

Keith Strange Staff Reporter

October 9, 2013

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.”

Matthew 25:35

A first-ever Halloween event being planned this year is being touted as more than an opportunity to give the kids a sweet treat — it’s an event designed to bring the community together to help those in need.

Businesses, churches, civic groups and non-profit organizations are urged to participate in the first Trick or Treat on the Greenway.

The event will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Riverside Park and is being hosted by Fellowship Baptist Church and Matthew 25:35, Inc.

In addition to offering treats for the kids, the event is also a food drive.

“There is no cost for an organization to set up a booth,” said organizer Ric Marshall. “The only requirement is to provide candy at your booth to be handed out.”

Any group setting up a booth also is free to distribute advertising or informational material about the organization, Marshall added.

Attendees are urged to bring a non-perishable canned food item for the food drive.

“No one will be turned away, but hopefully they will come for the trick or treating and bring a donation of canned goods when they arrive,” Marshall said.

All food collected at the event will stay in Surry County and will be distributed to the various food agencies in the county, including the Salvation Army and Pilot Mountain Outreach.

“We hope we can gather a lot of goods to help the needy in the county, especially at this time of year when it is so needed due to the holidays coming up,” Marshall said.

He added that he hopes the event will be embraced by community organizations.

“We’re asking churches, civic groups and businesses to come out,” he said. “What a great way to get together for one cause, to feed the hungry in the area. Everywhere Jesus went he opened up a food bank.”

Anyone interested in participating, or those seeking more information should call Marshall at 336-918-2480.